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Dan Altavilla RP | MIN
Royals' Dan Altavilla: Takes loss as opener
Altavilla (0-1) allowed five runs on three hits and two walks while striking out one over one-third of an inning, taking the loss Wednesday versus the Yankees.
The initial plan was likely for Altavilla to throw an inning or two, but the Yankees jumped on him right away. For now, Altavilla will remain in the majors -- Daniel Lynch was optioned to Triple-A Omaha on Thursday, but the Royals will need a fifth starter late next week. Expect Altavilla to remain in low-leverage usage as long as he's in the majors.
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Trent Thornton RP | CHC
Mariners' Trent Thornton: Snags third win Wednesday
Thornton (3-1) got the win over the White Sox on Wednesday, firing a scoreless ninth inning during which he recorded a strikeout.
It was a bit of welcome deja vu for Thornton on Wednesday, as he captured a victory against the White Sox via a crisp 11-pitch outing for the second straight night. The right-hander has lowered his ERA and WHIP down to 3.30 and 1.03, respectively, impressive figures that complement his trio of victories and eight holds across 30 appearances.
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Michael Kopech SP | LAD
White Sox's Michael Kopech: Bounces back
Kopech struck out two and walked one without allowing a hit in a scoreless ninth inning Wednesday against the Mariners.
Kopech imploded to allow three earned runs and blow a lead in an appearance Monday, but he managed to bounce back in this outing. He entered the game with the score tied at 1-1 and turned in just his third scoreless effort in his last five appearances. Kopech remains the White Sox's primary closer, though his last save came on May 15.
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Anthony Veneziano RP | TEX
Royals' Anthony Veneziano: Moves up to big leagues
The Royals recalled Veneziano from Triple-A Omaha on Thursday.
He'll join the Royals ahead of Thursday's series finale with the Yankees to provide the big club with a fresh arm out of the bullpen. Veneziano has made two prior relief appearances with Kansas City but has otherwise served as a swingman for Omaha this season, logging a 3.38 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 30:19 K:BB across 37.1 innings covering 17 outings (five starts) at Triple-A.
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Craig Kimbrel RP | KC
Orioles' Craig Kimbrel: Nails down 16th save
Kimbrel struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Wednesday to record his 16th save of the season in a 4-2 win over Atlanta.
Facing the team he made his debut with back in 2010, Kimbrel delivered his 12th straight appearance without allowing an earned run. The hot streak has lowered the veteran closer's ERA on the season to 2.59, to go along with a 0.95 WHIP and 34:10 K:BB through 24.1 innings.
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Mason Miller RP | SD
Athletics' Mason Miller: Hit with first loss
Miller (1-1) took the loss Wednesday, giving up a solo home run in one-third of an inning as the A's fell 5-4 to the Padres.
With one out in the bottom of the ninth inning, Jackson Merrill drove the first pitch he saw from Miller down the right-field line for a walk-off homer. The Oakland closer may be wearing down -- over his last eight appearances he's served up three long balls and been scored upon four times, leading to a 5.59 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 14:6 K:BB through 9.2 innings during that stretch.
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Hogan Harris RP | ATH
Athletics' Hogan Harris: Settles for no-decision Wednesday
Harris came away with a no-decision in Wednesday's 5-4 loss to the Padres, giving up two runs on four hits and a walk over five innings. He struck out five.
The southpaw was briefly in line for a win after the A's took the lead in the top of the sixth inning, but the bullpen fell apart late. The only damage off Harris came on two solo homers, marking the second time in three starts since moving into the rotation that he's served up multiple long balls. He'll take a 2.49 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 23:9 K:BB through 25.1 innings into his next outing, which lines up to come at home early next week against the Royals.
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David Robertson RP | PHI
Rangers' David Robertson: Impressively strikes out side
Robertson earned his 13th hold in Wednesday's 3-2 win over the Dodgers. He struck out all three batters faced in the eighth inning.
The Rangers were nursing a 3-1 lead when Robertson entered to start the eighth, and the right-hander was impressive, striking out Mookie Betts, Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman (all swinging). The 39-year-old Robertson has a 3.30 ERA and 1.03 WHIP with 43 strikeouts over 30 innings as he continues to operate as the setup man to closer Kirby Yates.
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Kirby Yates RP | PIT
Rangers' Kirby Yates: Close call in ninth save
Yates allowed a run on two hits and a walk over one inning to earn the save in Wednesday's 3-2 win over the Dodgers.
Yates wasn't sharp in the ninth inning, putting runners on first and second with two outs. Jason Heyward doubled to center field to knock in one run, but Andy Pages ignored a stop sign at third base and the relay throw from Marcus Semien to Jonah Heim was in time to get the final out at the plate. Prior to Wednesday, Yates was on a six-inning scoreless streak dating back to May 15, though he had just one save in that span due to the Rangers' generally poor play. For the season, he's at a 1.16 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 29:11 K:BB through 23.1 innings while adding nine saves and two holds.
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Steven Wilson RP | TB
White Sox's Steven Wilson: Takes extra-inning loss in return
Wilson (1-3) allowed an unearned run on a hit and a walk in one-third of an inning, taking the extra-inning loss to the Mariners on Wednesday.
Wilson missed three weeks with a back strain, and this was his first appearance back. While he threw 10 of 14 pitches for strikes -- his walk was an intentional one to Dominic Canzone -- Wilson ended up with the loss when Mitch Haniger hit a walk-off single. Through 19.1 innings this season, Wilson has a 2.79 ERA despite a 1.34 WHIP and 19:15 K:BB. He's added six holds and a blown save, so there's a chance he'll see some high-leverage work, though there's not much of that to go around for the worst team in the majors.